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GENERAL FIREWORKS INFORMATION

Grand Rapids Police Deparment

The new State law prohibits the following uses of consumer fireworks :

Igniting, discharging, or using consumer fireworks on public property, schoolproperty, church property, or the property of another person without thatorganization or persons express permission to use those fireworks on thosepremises; MCL 28.462(1)

Selling consumer fireworks to a minor; MCL 28.462(2)

Using consumer fireworks or low-impact fireworks while under the influence ofalcoholic liquor, a controlled substance, or a combination of alcoholic liquor and acontrolled substance; MCL 28.462(3)

The new City ordinance does not regulate display fireworks, such as those used at large

community events like the Fourth of July and Celebration on the Grand. No changes have

been made, which impact those community fireworks displays.

The new City ordinance also does not regulate low impact fireworks or novelties.

Examples of low impact fireworks include smoke devices, ground sparklingdevices, sparkling wheel devices, and ground based or handheld sparklers.

Examples of novelty fireworks include sparklers, snakes, smoke balls, partypoppers, and snappers / pop drops.

Important Note: While the State law makes it illegal to sell consumer fireworks to minors,

it does not make it illegal for minors to possess, ignite, discharge, or use consumer

fireworks.

The State law provides that cities have authority to pass an ordinance that generally

regulates the use of consumer fireworks. However, the State law provides that cities DO

NOT have the authority to pass or enforce an ordinance that regulates use of consumer

fireworks on the day preceding, the day of, or the day after a national holiday.

The new City ordinance completely bans the ignition, discharge, or use of consumer

fireworks in the City of Grand Rapids 335 days per year all days except the days

preceding, the day of, or the day after a national holiday.

The new City ordinance goes into effect on July 1, 2012.

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After July 1, 2012 :

If it is NOT a protected holiday, meaning the day preceding, the day of, or the day after a

national holiday, any citizen hearing fireworks may call the Grand Rapids PoliceDepartment non-emergency number, 456-3400, to report this illegal activity. The GRPD

can investigate for City Ordinance and State law violations, depending on available

personnel resources.

If it IS a protected holiday, meaning the day preceding, the day of, or the day after a

national holiday, any citizen hearing fireworks may call the Grand Rapids Police

Department non-emergency number, 456-3400, to report this activity. The GRPD can

investigate for state law violations, depending on available personnel resources.

As it is currently unclear, the City of Grand Rapids will be requesting that the Michigan

Attorney General issue an opinion as to whether the Citys Noise Ordinance can be used

to regulate the ignition, discharge and use of fireworks on protected holiday days.